Key Tips On Spending Time With Your Children and Work When A Single Parent

You’ve been a single parent for years. You made this decision because you don’t want your children to be involved in an unhealthy relationship. And while your job enables you to pay for all your children’s needs, you admit that there are times when it can be difficult. Working full time and spending time with your children is something that requires effort from you. You might meet your responsibility as a parent and as an employee but at the end of the day, doing these things will leave you exhausted – too exhausted that you can no longer do anything at home or take care of yourself. This has also been the reason why you’ve been sick and stressed lately.

Wearing two hats every day is never easy. For one, you have to make sure that the stress you’re getting from work won’t affect your interaction with your children, and vice versa. Managing your time can also become an issue in the long run. To ensure that you can spend time with your children and work as a single parent, consider these tips:

1. Let go of the guilt: Being a single parent will require you to be with your children 24/7 – of course, who else can better take care of your children, right? You might have this kind of notion when you report to work but if you want to function as an employee and single parent, let go of this guilt. Instead, think of how your role in the company can benefit your children in the long run. This will serve as your motivation to work while saving yourself from stress.

2. Find quality Child Care: One of the reasons why you might not be able to perform at work is that you’re worried about how your children are doing. Steer away from situations like these by hiring quality childcare which can take care of your children when you’re working. Ask your friends and family for recommendations and find childcare suitable for your needs and budget.

3. Have “me” time: Regardless of how busy you are, you should find time to relax. This will serve as your avenue to recharge and be prepared to juggle two roles again. If you love baking, free your schedule over the weekend and make brownies for your children. If you love the arts, visit newly opened museums all by yourself and bask in the moment. Doing these things might seem so simple but this can do wonders for your health, especially mentally.

4. Remember to set boundaries: When your working schedule is 9AM-5PM during weekdays, don’t finish office presentations during the weekends. In the same manner, when you’re in the office, you shouldn’t spend hours talking to your children on the phone. If you want to manage being a parent and an employee, you should set boundaries. When it’s time for work, you should work. When it’s time to become a mother, be one. You shouldn’t mix any of these with the other as this can be very stressful not only for you but your employer and children as well.

5. Just breathe: Being a single parent is a commitment. And regardless of how much you prepare for it, there will always be a few bumps along the way. If you see yourself lose your temper because of your child’s behavior, breathe. If you think you can no longer fulfill these roles at the same time, breathe. Keep in mind that you’re doing all of this for your children’s welfare.

Being a single parent is never easy, much more that you’re doing it with a full-time job on the side. And feeling tired because you’ve juggled through these roles is understandable. Aside from taking care of your children and earning for them, you should also acquire single parent cover from your insurance policy. This will help you and your children in times of emergencies, especially when it requires finances.

Jessica Wilson
Jessica is a professional health expert who works for some major health industry giants. She currently writes for Membersown and is dedicated to helping people learn more about health related topics along the journey. When she's not a health advocate, she enjoys some down time traveling or talking with family.